Dutch drop Vorm for friendlies v Japan, Colombia

(Reuters) - Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm was among five players dropped by the Netherlands from a provisional squad named last month as coach Louis van Gaal on Friday settled on his 23-man selection for two friendly internationals this month.

Vorm is replaced by Fulham's Marten Stekelenburg, who makes his return after injury, with Tim Krul of Newcastle also restored to the squad.

Van Gaal also handed a first call-up to Ajax Amsterdam's 21-year defender Joel Veltman and brought back Luciano Narsingh of PSV Eindhoven, who like Stekelenburg last played for the national side against Romania in October last year.